Revelation 13:13 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

‘And he performs great signs that he should even make fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the wild beast, telling those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who has the stroke of the sword and lived, and it was given to him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should speak, and he will cause that as many as will not worship the image of the beast should be killed.'

The reference to fire coming down from heaven specifically points to Elijah (1 Kings 18:38). Thus he will be the anti-Elijah. These words parallel Paul's in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, ‘he whose coming is according to the working of Satan, with all powers and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing'.

The bringing of fire down ‘from heaven' may be through the manipulation of natural phenomena (claiming lightning strikes as his work) or may be achieved through trickery, as may other wonders (compare the Egyptian magicians with Moses (Exodus 7:11; 2 Timothy 3:8)). Clever priests of many religions have been able to achieve such things through the ages, and some men love putting on such performances. We need not doubt that some of Caligula's sycophantic followers made such attempts.

The same applies to the speaking image (compare the oracle at Delphi which was also portrayed as speaking). The whole point is that ‘he' (the second beast representing initially the priesthood at various Temples for Emperor worship, combined with local authorities) is a deceiver. But his authority is such that he has the power to condemn to death those who refuse to worship the Emperor's image.

‘Telling those who dwell on earth that they should make an image to the wild beast.' Caligula especially sought to promote the erection of images to his honour and divinity, even demanding that one be set up in the Temple in Jerusalem. Previously Jewish susceptibilities had been catered for by Emperors but Caligula thrust them aside. It was only his timely death that prevented it happening.

‘The wild beast who has the stroke of the sword and lived'. This refers to the two-edged sword of Christ which ‘smote' him so that he nearly died, but he recovered and did not heed the warning. It is quite probable that Caligula's ‘miraculous' recovery was cited against Christians when they proclaimed the resurrection of Christ.

‘To give breath to' the image of the beast. As suggested above this and its speech can be accomplished by manipulation. History is full of such pious frauds.

Revelation 13:13

13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,